Colorado · river
West Fork Clear Creek Abv Mouth near Empire
Live conditions for this USGS-monitored stretch of water, updated every 15 minutes.
Good
Paddle Score, from live wind and water conditions
Wind
12 mph
gusting to 23 mph
Air temp
78°F
10% chance of rain
River flow
20.5 cfs
very low for this date
Best day to paddle this week
Thursday · 86
Today
73
81°
Thu
86
83°
Best
Fri
80
83°
Sat
64
83°
Sun
62
75°
Mon
74
82°
Tue
76
78°
Scored from each day's peak forecast wind, heat, and rain chance — river flow isn't forecastable, so check back before you load the boat.
Wind, next 12 hours
mph| Hour | Wind (mph) | Gusts (mph) |
|---|---|---|
| 12p | 9 | 22 |
| 1p | 12 | 25 |
| 2p | 13 | 24 |
| 3p | 11 | 26 |
| 4p | 12 | 25 |
| 5p | 13 | 22 |
| 6p | 12 | 20 |
| 7p | 10 | 19 |
| 8p | 1 | 17 |
| 9p | 6 | 17 |
| 10p | 5 | 15 |
| 11p | 6 | 13 |
Is this flow normal for August 19?
Today's 20.5 cfs is 55% below the median for this date — which counts as very low water here.
The median flow on this date is 46 cfs, across 30 years of USGS record at this gauge. Whether that is runnable depends on the stretch — this is context, not a recommendation.
Why this score
- Wind — 12 mph — hard work, whitecaps likely-16
- Gusts — Gusting to 23 mph — 11 mph over sustained-2
We don't have launch notes for this one
This page is built from the USGS gauge at this location, so the flow and weather are real — but we haven't verified where to put in, what the hazards are, or whether this stretch is legal or sensible to paddle. We'd rather say that than invent it. The links below are where to find out.
We also don't have a verified safe-flow range here, so the Paddle Score reflects weather only. Judge the flow number against local knowledge, not against our score.
Do your own homework
We show you live conditions. For local knowledge — where to put in, what the hazards are, whether it's worth the drive — here's where paddlers actually talk about this water. We don't vet these sources; check the dates and judge for yourself.
- Paddler discussion on Reddit
Trip reports and local warnings, straight from the source
- Search American Whitewater
Rapid classifications and gauge-linked run descriptions
- Satellite view and access roads
Check parking, put-ins, and what the banks actually look like
- Video from this water
The fastest way to see the character of a run before you drive
- USGS gauge 06716100
Full hydrograph, historical flows, and station metadata
Nearby water
- Clear Creek Abv West Fork Clear Creek near Empireunder 1 mi
- Clear Creek near Lawson2 mi
- Leavenworth Creek at Mouth near Georgetown5 mi
- South Clear Creek Abv Lwr Cabin Creek Reservoir Spilwy near Georgtwn7 mi
- Fraser River at Upper Sta, near Winter Park8 mi
- South Clear Creek Abv Lower Cabin Creek Reservoir near Georgetown8 mi